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Shopping in Australia and South Pacific - Melbourne

Welcome to Australia's shopping capital. Scattered through the city's network of laneways and arcades lies a smorgasbord of shopping delights, from department stores and shopping centres to countless boutiques and specialty shops. Discover the latest in fashion from local designers all the way to famous international brands. From Armani to Zambesi, Melbourne has it covered at a price to suit all budgets. See Akira Isogawa's collection of contemporary Japanese silks on Bourke Street; for a sexy pair of jeans check out Bettina Liano on Little Collins Street; or pick up the latest in sunglasses from Peter Morrissey on Little Collins Street.

With its vibrant energy, great choice of restaurants, café-filled
laneways reminiscent of Europe, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, luscious
parks and village-like inner suburbs, Melbourne is a treasure trove of
surprises and encouragement for the dedicated shopper.

Shopping hours

Most stores are open seven days a week. Typically, city shops are open:
Saturday to Wednesday from 10am to 5pm; Thursday 10am to 7pm; and Friday
10am to 9pm.

Best buys

Local and international fashion, fashion accessories, high-end jewellery
and luxury goods.

Best time to visit

Year round, but Melbourne is at its best from October to July, with an
average temperature of 18°C and an average of 23°C in summer (December
and January). Melbournes' weather can be fickle.

Best shopping areas

Here's a rundown of Melbournes' most interesting shopping areas.

Melbournes' arcades

The Block Arcade (282 Collins Street) Built in 1891 and
modelled on the arcades of Paris, London and Milan, the Block offers an
old-world stylish elegance complete with imported Italian mosaic floors
(the largest in Australia), carved stone details and an etched, glass
dome ceiling supported by elaborate iron-lace columns. Don't miss seeing
the 1907 ceiling murals in Chelsea Design at the entrance to the arcade,
witnessing the 'little man' who taps on the window of Haigh's Chocolate
Shop or savouring a refreshing cup of tea in the charming and historic
Hopetoun Tearooms. Walking up and down this section of Collins Street in
the late afternoon or on Saturday morning was a favourite pastime between
1870 and 1918. Today the arcade forms part of Melbournes' Golden Mile
heritage walk.

Royal Arcade (355 Bourke Street) Stroll through
Melbournes' oldest shopping arcade, built in 1869. Admire the
wrought-iron portico and time your visit to hear the mythical monsters,
Gog and Magog, strike the hour in time with jeweller Thomas Gaunt's great
clock. Don't miss Koko Black, where chocolate treats rule supreme: try a
premium quality cacao while you nibble on a praline or ganache. Or pop
into Spellbox and browse for a spell to restore your mojo or creative
juices.

Other arcades to visit include Collins two3four, Australia on Collins,
The Walk, the Galleria Shopping Plaza and Centrepoint Mall. All offer an
impressive mix of large flagship stores, unique owner-operated shops and
quality cafes all located within a block of each other off Little Collins
Street.

Melbourne shopping districts

Collins Street, CBD Glamorous and stylish, tree-lined
Collins Street is famous for high-end jewellery, fashion and luxury goods
at international stores including Chanel, Tiffany & Co. and Louis
Vuitton. Discover exclusive jewellers, chic designer shops, 5-star hotels
and private clubs housed in striking heritage buildings. Further west,
between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, explore the chain and concept
stores that lie within the bustling retail centres of two3four and
Australia on Collins.

Little Collins Street, CBD Discover an enclave of cool
fashion, from haute couture to funky threads. Here you'll find some of
Melbourne's best designers and boutiques. The stretch between Swanston
and Russell streets is lined with the best in menswear. After a days'
shopping, relax at some of Melbourne's best bars and cafes that you'll
find crowding the narrow lanes around Little Collins Street.

Flinders Lane, CBD Look out for the indigenous and
contemporary art and craft galleries, groovy bars and designer boutiques
selling a range of funky fashions and esoteric accessories. Check out
Christine for fashion and accessories, Alice Euphemia for experimental
designs by young and emerging designers and Cathedral Arcade for edgy
fashion. Pop into the Nicholas Building for a range of interesting shops,
galleries and studios. Take a break in any of the atmospheric cafes along
Degraves Street, Centre Place and Scott Place.

Southgate and Crown Entertainment Complex Cross the
river to find a range of eclectic shops selling luxury lingerie and
perfume, as well as high-end fashion stores such as Versace, Burberry and
Prada. With its riverside setting and fantastic views of the city
skyline, the Southbank promenade along the Yarra River is one of
Melbourne's most popular dining areas. Dine al fresco, do a spot of
people watching and enjoy the antics of street performers, all backed by
stunning views of the Melbourne skyline at night.

Bourke Street Mall, CBD Running between Swanston and
Elizabeth streets, this pedestrian and tram-only strip is home to
Melbourne's two large department stores, David Jones and Myer, along with
a varied array of shops and chain stores that sell everything from shoes
and novelties to music and jewellery. Regarded by many as Melbourne's
shopping heart, the mall is always buzzing with shoppers, buskers and
city workers.
Chapel Street, South Yarra Lined with trendy shops
selling all things groovy and hip, Chapel Street is home to some of
Australia's top designers, including Scanlan & Theodore, Colette
Dinnigan and Bettina Liano, as well as many cool bars and cafes such as
Café Domo, Pieroni and Chinois. Head to nearby Toorak Road for Gucci and
other exclusive boutiques, and Greville Street for offbeat retro
clothing, eclectic gifts and jewellery and record stores.

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy Home to Melbourne's bohemian
culture, this is where you can discover a range of quaint and quirky
shops and markets offering retro and recycled fashion, arty homewares and
locally made jewellery, along with bookshops, galleries, cafes and
restaurants. The area is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife. For a
taste of Spain, cruise down Brunswick to Johnston Street and you'll find
a range of tapas and flamenco bars.

Markets

Discover everything from cutting-edge fashions to fresh fruit and veg at
Melbourne's eclectic mix of markets.

Arts Centre (Corner St Kilda and Southgate roads, Southbank) Browse a
showcase of more than 150 stalls offering some of Victoria's finest
artisans' work. Look out for hand-made jewellery, leatherwear and an
esoteric collection of artwork from painting and sculpture to ceramics.
Buy colourful garments from stylish boutiques and market stalls, treat
yourself to an inexpensive t-shirt or a one-off hand-sewn creation by a
local couturier. Open every Sunday.

Queen Victoria Market (513 Elizabeth Street) Opened in
1878, the market is an historic landmark and a Melbourne institution.
Wander among the 150 covered stalls groaning under the weight of exotic
local and imported gourmet foods, along with clothing, shoes, luggage,
toys, jewellery and authentic Australian artefacts and souvenirs all
offered at bargain prices. Sample a range of world cuisines freshly
prepared on-site, groove to some of the best live music and check out the
tarot and aura readers. The Suzuki Night Market is open every Wednesday
evening from 5.30pm to 10pm from December to February.

The Rose Street Artists Market Wander one of Melbourne's
leading open-air markets, showcasing the very best in emerging designer
creations. The market is held in a disused yard in the back streets of
Fitzroy and showcases up to 40 artists and designers each week. While
you're browsing the stalls, you also get to enjoy the sounds of live
entertainment, and when hunger strikes, the market's gourmet café is a
great choice. Held every Saturday throughout the year from 11am to
5pm.

St Kilda Esplanade Art and Craft Market Browse the
handicrafts of more than 220 artisans that include everything from
painters and potters to jewellers and glass blowers. Held every Sunday
above the beach in St Kilda from 10am to 5pm.

*Prices are in ZAR and subject to availability. Please refer to specific product’s terms and conditions.

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